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Treat your family to a special day at Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium. Where else can you see sea lions and sharks, peacocks and penguins, wolves and walrus, all in one place? The 29-acre Zoo is large enough to offer an awesome array of animals yet small enough to let you get really close to them. Our keepers often roam the grounds, taking animals on strolls so you can see them up close. Who knows? You might run into a lynx on your way to see the polar bears! Be sure to visit Kids Zone. This fanciful exhibit engages children in active learning through play. The focus is on fun, movement and learning what animals need to thrive. The breathtaking views of Puget Sound, Mount Rainier and the Olympic Mountains are free - and so is the parking. So what are you waiting for? Bring your family to see ours. Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium is open at 9:30 a.m. daily. Closing times vary. Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium is just minutes off of I-5 in beautiful Point Defiance Park in Tacoma, WA.

About Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium

Treat your family to a special day at Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium. Where else can you see sea lions and sharks, peacocks and penguins, wolves and walrus, all in one place? The 29-acre Zoo is large enough to offer an awesome array of animals yet small enough to let you get really close to them. Our keepers often roam the grounds, taking animals on strolls so you can see them up close. Who knows? You might run into a lynx on your way to see the polar bears! Be sure to visit Kids Zone. This fanciful exhibit engages children in active learning through play. The focus is on fun, movement and learning what animals need to thrive. The breathtaking views of Puget Sound, Mount Rainier and the Olympic Mountains are free - and so is the parking. So what are you waiting for? Bring your family to see ours. Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium is open at 9:30 a.m. daily. Closing times vary. Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium is just minutes off of I-5 in beautiful Point Defiance Park in Tacoma, WA.

This is a well established attraction and has made updates and changes over the decades to remain strong. The selection of animals is very good and they are placed in humane, environmentally friendly environments. In most cases they appear to have made accommodations for the...More

Ask Bruce F about Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium

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This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC

We went as a family to visit this Zoo the day before a Seattle Mariners game. Our grandsons had a wonderful time and we all felt like the exhibits were well done. On this particular day, late afternoon it seemed as if all the animals...More

Ask Bob n Gail W about Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium

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This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC

Took 3 grandsons in July 2018. Lots of hands-on exhibits and close-up views of a large variety of animals and reptiles. Plenty of ramps for strollers made it easy to see everything in the park. Except, the aquarium was about 6-weeks from opening after a...More

Ask 442richard about Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium

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This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC

let me start out by saying that this is not the greatest zoo yeah the aquarium is under renovation so where is all the aquatic life at? they are over staffed for the amount of animals and it still seemed to look like the animals...More

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Ask Kaile R about Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium

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This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC

We are from the DC area and just moved here.. We weren’t sure how this place would be compared to what we are used to.. It was one of the best zoo/aquariums we have ever seen... We bought a membership that day and are so...More

Ask acefam2012 about Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium

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This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC

We visited prior to the new aquarium opening but still found the rest of the zoo rather modern. My kids had a great time and the animal show on the main stage was a great break in the day. Huge bonus parking is free. Wish...More

Ask canadianballfan about Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium

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This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC

Point Defiance Zoo is a wonderful place to spend the day. It’s nicely designed, easy to navigate, and offers great views of the water and Mt. Rainier. There is an assortment of keeper talks, feeding sessions, and educational shows to choose from. The staff members...More

Ask Leigh S about Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium

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This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC

Personally, if I was bringing that many kids, I would bring a picnic lunch/snacks. Yes, there is a food court, and several smaller stands around the park that are open sporadically, but more consistently over the summer... More

Personally, if I was bringing that many kids, I would bring a picnic lunch/snacks. Yes, there is a food court, and several smaller stands around the park that are open sporadically, but more consistently over the summer, high volume season. Their prices, like any attraction, are pretty spendy and adds up quickly. The zoo does allow outside food and drinks. No alcohol, and I believe no glass containers. I would definitely stick to soft sided, light weight coolers, or what you can fit into a back pack kind of thing, there is no place to secure your belongings, so you need to keep them with you, and anything heavy is going to be cumbersome. Enjoy!!

Most are open and they will be open Mother’s Day. The Aquariums are most affected but parts of each are open. You’ll still be able to see the highlights of both Aquariums last time I checked, a quick phone call there can... More

Most are open and they will be open Mother’s Day. The Aquariums are most affected but parts of each are open. You’ll still be able to see the highlights of both Aquariums last time I checked, a quick phone call there can confirm this for you. Enjoy.

Hi Andrew, our general daytime admission prices are $17.95 for adults, $16.95 for seniors (age 65+), $13.95 for youth (age 5-12) and $9.95 for tots (age 3-4). Children 2 and under are free. We offer discounts for Pierce... More

Hi Andrew, our general daytime admission prices are $17.95 for adults, $16.95 for seniors (age 65+), $13.95 for youth (age 5-12) and $9.95 for tots (age 3-4). Children 2 and under are free. We offer discounts for Pierce County residents and military. You can also get a discount by purchasing tickets online at our website.
Zoolights, our evening holiday light program running Nov 25-Jan 1, has different admission prices and those can be seen on our website as well.
Thank you and have a wonderful visit!